Helping children to be children: The impact of our Ufulu programme
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Our Ufulu health and well-being programme continues to run in Year 6 across Hope4Malawi's partner primary schools, with follow-up sessions in later years.
The heart of the programme is simple but powerful: to educate children about emotions, violence, relationships, and puberty, and to equip them with the tools they need to live healthier, happier lives.
What continues to amaze us is the far-reaching impact of Ufulu's reach. It doesn’t just open the eyes of the children taking part, but also of parents, teachers, and the wider community.
A recurring conversation is about enabling children to remain children. Many young people in Ufulu face early pressures to take on adult roles, often through unhealthy relationships.
Harriet, who leads the Ufulu programme, addressed this issue directly during a recent parents’ meeting at Mafunde, attended by 40 parents. The response was incredibly encouraging. Parents were united in their desire to protect their children’s childhood and to help them avoid responsibilities they are not yet ready to carry.
How Ufulu can create lasting change
Headteachers regularly share concerns with us that highlight why running Ufulu in Year 6 is so vital, even when the children seem young.
We hear stories that reveal how early some children are being exposed to adult expectations around relationships and maturity—issues that no 11–15-year-old should be burdened with.
Ufulu provides a safe and trusted space to address these realities. Through weekly sessions, children learn about their bodies, recognise unhealthy behaviour, and begin to understand that situations they may see as “normal” are sometimes harmful or abusive. This is where real, lasting change begins.
The work isn’t easy. The stories we hear can be heartbreaking. But the transformation we witness makes it worthwhile. As one teacher recently told us, a student “was coming to school because she had to, but now she’s coming with purpose.” Small changes like this make a big difference.
Thank you for your help
If you’d like to support the running of our Ufulu programme, you can make a donation using the link below. Or, you could help by donating new, unworn underwear in sizes 8-12 or men’s/women’s size XS. Donations can be sent to 26 Northey Avenue, Ewell, SM2 7HR.
Can you help a child in Malawi?
Thanks to the support of our partners, sponsors, fundraisers and volunteers, Hope4Malawi's Youth Development programmes, building projects, resourcing initiatives, and student sponsorships continue to provide life-changing opportunities for children in rural Blantyre.
Contact us for further information on how to get involved.
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